Descent is a groundbreaking six-degrees-of-freedom first-person shooter that redefined PC action gaming in the mid-1990s. Developed by Parallax Software, the game places players in control of a heavily armed spacecraft sent deep into hostile underground mines overrun by rogue robots. Unlike traditional shooters, Descent allows complete freedom of movement—up, down, left, right, forward, and backward—creating intense and often disorienting combat scenarios.
The game emphasizes fast reflexes, spatial awareness, and tactical navigation through complex 3D environments. Players search for keys, rescue hostages, destroy reactor cores, and escape before the mines self-destruct. A wide variety of weapons, from lasers to homing missiles, keeps combat fresh and strategic. Its true 3D level design, dynamic lighting, and pulse-pounding soundtrack were revolutionary at the time. With challenging gameplay and innovative mechanics, Descent became a cult classic and a major influence on future 3D shooters.
Key Features:
-
True 3D first-person shooter gameplay
-
Six-degrees-of-freedom movement
-
Complex underground mine environments
-
Fast-paced and challenging combat
-
Wide arsenal of futuristic weapons
-
Key-based objectives and hostage rescue
-
Reactor destruction and timed escapes
-
Dynamic lighting and sound design
-
Single-player campaign
-
Multiplayer support via LAN/modem
System Requirements:
-
OS: Windows 95 / 98 / XP or later
-
Processor: 486 DX2 / Pentium class
-
Memory: 8 MB RAM
-
Graphics: SVGA compatible video card
-
DirectX: Version 5.0
-
Storage: 50 MB available space
-
Sound Card: Sound Blaster–compatible
-
Input: Keyboard, mouse, or joystick
